Knowledge Base

Incase you don't want to attempt to release the screws on the chromed surround

NB This is not best practice for changing a headlight bulb (total overkill)

After an incident with a gritter lorry left me with this :

I had to (at least) replace the lens on the headlight. The problem is that the lens is held in place by the chrome surround. This wouldn't be so bad, apart from the fact that the screws which hold the chrome surround in place are almost certainly rusted on, with the only option being to drill them out and replace them. Or you could just replace the complete headlight bowl assembly - here's how to do it.

First of all, you'll need to get the headlights into the locked up postition. Turn the light switch all the way around, then depress and move 1 position futher. The lights should go out, but the mechanism should remain up. If you feel like it, you can remove the relay box to make absolutley sure they stay there while you're working on it. The box is next to the wiper motor on the rear of the frunk.

Now remove the black plastic shroud around the headlight. This is held in place by 4 screws in the sides of the headlight.

The bowl itself is held in place by 2 adjustment screws (on the left and bottom) and the spring on the top right. First of all, release the spring using some pliers. You shouldn't need to release the adjustment screws at all - you can slide the headlight bowl off them

(by slide I mean wiggle and jiggle and curse a bit. You may need to use a screwdriver or the pliers to gently lever it off the screws).

Now you have to remove the power supply to the bulb. Gently ease the connector off the back to totally release the bowl from the car.

Now you've got the bowl off the car, you can replace it for one without a smashed lens. Replacement is the reverse of removal - it's a bit of a PITA getting the spring back in place, but perserverance and some pliers should sort you out.

Good luck.